Domestic FlightDomestic carriers such as Coastal Aviation, Flightlink, Tropical Air, Fastjet, Precision Air, Regional Air Services, Safari Air link, Safari Plus and ZanAir link the major cities, with tourist attractions and game parks. Air Tanzania, Coastal Aviation, Precision and ZanAir fly between the mainland and Zanzibar.

LanguageEnglish is widely spoken but a few words of Swahili can be useful and will be appreciated greatly by locals.

MoneyMajor foreign currencies are convertible at banks and Bureau DE Changes in the main towns and tourist areas. Credit cards, particularly visa, are accepted at most up market Lodges but not at more low-key enterprises. In large towns, several banks offer ATM facilities against international credit cards. National park fees for the main northern circuit parks (Serengeti, Tarangire, Manyara, Arusha, Kilimanjaro) are payable only by Master Card, Visa Card or customized Tanapa cards sold at all branches of the EXIM Bank/CRDB Bank.

HealthYellow fever vaccination is no longer compulsory. Malaria is endemic but is preventable. Use insect repellent, cover up at sundown, sleep under a mosquito net and take anti-malaria prophylactics as advised by your doctor. Bring prescription medicines, spare glasses, contact lenses and solution as well as sunscreen, a first aid kit, cream for bites/stings and diarrhea remedy. Drink only boiled or bottled water, bottled or canned drinks, avoid ice cubes and salads. HIV/Aids is widespread, especially in the main tourist areas. (See Mt. Kilimanjaro section for altitude sickness advice.)

Climate:Tanzania’s climate is predominately tropical. Coastal areas are usually hot and humid, but on the beaches a sea breeze cools the air considerably. The average day temperature is 30 ‘C. Tanzania has two rainy seasons; the long rains from late March to June and the short rains from November to January. The long rains fall in heavy downpours, often accompanied by violent storms, but the short rains tend to be much less severe. The hottest time of the year is from December to March, before the long rains begin. The coolest months are June, July and August, when the weather is often overcast. In high – altitude areas such as Kilimanjaro and Ngorongoro Highlands, temperatures can fall below freezing.

ClothesPack lightweight, washable clothes plus a sweater for early morning game drives, as well as a sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Long sleeves and trousers in light-colored fabrics help discourage insect bites. You can buy clothes all major cities. Shorts for women are acceptable (but not too short). Women should carry a wrap to cover legs in the villages and towns are revealing clothes can cause offense, especially in Zanzibar and Muslim areas. On the beach and within the confines of beach hotels normal swimwear is acceptable (but not nudity). For climbing on Kilimanjaro or Meru, take thermal underwear, light layers, sweater, rain jacket, good socks and sturdy boots.

On SafariDistances in Tanzania are vast, and travel by road can be tiring. Plan to spend more time in fewer parks. You’ll see more and wont return home exhausted. Keep your distance from animals and be quiet to avoid distressing the wildlife. Follow instructions of ranger or guides. Don’t leave your vehicle in the parks except in designated places. Keep to recognized tracks to avoid damaging vegetation.

Whilst on a game drive• Please do not interfere with animal behavior.• No more than 5 vehicles around an animal at one time (please accept the decision of your guide to leave an animal if he feels it is becoming overcrowded).• Please do not get too close to the animals as this may distress them.• Please do not get out of the vehicle without consulting your guide.• Please try to be as quiet as possible when viewing wildlife close up. Your guide will turn off the vehicle’s engine whenever possible.• Please minimize off-road driving.• No speeding! The speed limit in the parks is 40kph.

Protect the Environment• Please do not litter, especially cigarette butts.• Please do not collect bones, feathers, stones or plants etc; they are all mini ecosystems.• Please do not buy bones, stones, feather displays or plants etc.

Cultural Exchange• Please do not take photographs of the local people without asking their permission first.• Please do not encourage trade or give personal items away to the local people (if we support begging we promote begging).• If you have brought gifts to give to the local people, please give them to your guide for proper distribution.• Beware of anyone asking you for gifts or money and do not feel obliged to donate anything.• Please report back to us if you are harassed.

Our VehicleAll of our safari vehicles are supplied with 3-pin with inventor for charging batteries (UK type) 230 Volt A/C sockets, which are available to clients for the charging of mobile phones and small electrical equipment. The Company owns a fleet of 4×4 vehicles driven by trained and experienced driver cum guides. Toyota Land Cruiser 4×4 jeep with pop-up roof, freezer or cooler box, binoculars, 1.5 litter per person per day drinking water during on game drives.

PhotographyIf you still use, film, bring all you need with you. For digital photography, most Lodges and Tented Camps now have facilities to charge camera batteries and the like. Protect your cameras from dust and keep equipment and film cool. It is courteous to ask permission before photographing local people.

InsuranceTake out travel insurance to cover loss of baggage or valuables, personal accident and medical expenses.

Time3 hrs + GMT.

ElectricityThe electricity situation in Tanzania is based on English standards, meaning it is (usually) supplied at 230Volts, 50Hz. This means that all European equipment should work, from laptop power supplies to mobile phone chargers. 3 square pin plug outlets are the main source of electricity. Your appliances should therefore have plugs as per illustration. Therefore it is advisable to bring along a “multiple travel adapter”.

Immunization and HealthIt is essential that all visitors take a course of anti-malaria tablets commencing two weeks before departure. The UK Department of Health also recommends vaccination against hepatitis A, polio and typhoid. Personal insurance is advised. Travelers arriving from, or via, countries where yellow fever is endemic will need a Certificate of Vaccination although vaccination is available on arrival. Hospitals provide good medical care in cities and towns. Flying Doctors facilities are also available.

Travel with ChildrenTanzanians love children and are especially helpful to mothers. However, canned baby foods, powdered milk and disposable nappies may not be available outside major towns.

VisaMost visitors require visas with the exception of citizens of certain countries of the Commonwealth. It is advisable to obtain them in advance from Embassies and High Commissions as several airlines insist on them prior to departure. They can however also be obtained, on arrival, at all points of entry. Requirement may change so you are advised to contact the appropriate diplomatic or consular authority before finalizing your travel arrangements. Although part of the union of Tanzania, Zanzibar remains in depend so, passports/Tanzania visas are required even in a day’s visit.

SecurityTanzania is a generally safe country, but don’t invite temptation. Keep an eye on your belongings. Don’t walk in the town or cities at night-take taxi. Don’t carry cameras or large amounts of cash; beware of pickpockets. Use hotel safety deposit boxes to safeguard valuables and obtain a receipt. Leave valuable jewellery at home.

What to WearIt never gets really cold in Tanzania so lightweight clothing is the norm. On safari, avoid brightly colored clothes, they may, they alarm the animals. Browns, beiges and khaki are preferred. Shorts-sleeves shirts/blouses and shorts are ideal, but pack a sweater, it can be chilly in the early morning and in the evening. Wear a hat to avoid sun-stroke and don’t forget a swimsuit. Shoes should be sensible – – walking through the bush is not like strolling through Hyde Park – and for climbing Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru take thermal underwear, a rain jacket, good socks and sturdy boots. Shorts for women are acceptable – but not too short. Women should carry a wrap to cover their legs in towns or villages as revealing clothes can close offense, especially in Zanzibar and other Muslim areas. On the beach, and within the confines of beach hotels, normal swimwear is acceptable but nudity certainly is not.

TippingTanzania is a country that is growing and developing rapidly by world standards and so the relative value of currency is beginning to come in line with the rest of the world gradually. With this in mind, we have put a few recommendations below as to what we tell our clients to budget. Please remember that all of our staff is paid and no one relies on tips as a substitute for wages. As with any tipping situation, if you enjoy your experience, give a generous tip, if you do not enjoy your experience, adjust the tip accordingly.

Below is a recommended guideline for tipping:

Safari Driver/Guide:US$10 to $15 per day.

Safari Cook:US$10 to $15 per day

Mountain Guide:US$10 per day per guide from group

Mountain Cook:US$10-$12 per day per cook from group

Assistant Mt. Guide:US$8 per day per asst guide from group

Porters on Mountain:US$15-$20 per porter for duration from group

Porters at Lodges:US$1-2

Gratuity Box:These are found at most lodges. We recommend these as your tip is then distributed fairly among all the staff We recommend that tipping is usually done at the end of the trip and given directly to the person it is meant for. Whilst larger denomination bills are acceptable, we recommend you also bring some smaller denomination bills as sometimes change is not easily attainable.